NEWS PHOTO RYAN MCCRACKEN
Lanny Seefried stands with the Redcliff Open trophy after winning the championship Sunday at Riverview Golf Club.
rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com @MHNMcCracken
Lanny Seefried shot a tournament-low 73 Sunday at Riverview Golf Club to clinch his third Redcliff Open championship after trailing by three shots entering the final round.
Seefried managed to draw even with Saturday’s leader, Jason Risk, through the front-9 Sunday before draining a couple of key shots then hanging on for the four-stroke victory. The Medicine Hat product previously won the event in 1991 and 2003.
“It seems like every 13 or 14 years I’m able to win this tournament,” said Seefried, who closed out the event with a score of 78-73—151. “We had kind of a battle on the front 9, we were even after 9. Then during the back-9 I was able to chip in on a couple of holes, 13 and 14, for birdie.From that point onI was just in protect mode.”
Seefried added Saturday forced many out of their comfort zones with cooler temperatures and heavier winds, but he and Risk emerged as the leaders at 75 and 78, respectively, while Mark Hazzard and Hugh Bice sat just off the lead at 79.
“Jason Risk shot a great round on Saturday,”said Seefried. “I only had one birdie on Saturday but I was able to make three birdies today and get a little bit closer to par.”
Seefried, who will be heading north to compete at the Alberta Men’s Amateur at RedTail Landing in Edmonton, added he hopes to see even more golfers come out and challenge his championship next season.
“Historically it’s been pretty good and it’s a great tournament,”he said. “What we had with respect to the servers and the condition of the course, it was outstanding.”
Adam Hansen won the first flight with a score of 84-77—161, while All Carrier took the second flight at 83-86—169.